RCW 86: Historical Supernova Remnant
Explanation: In 185 AD,
Chinese astronomers recorded the appearance of a new star in the Nanmen asterism - a part of the sky identified with Alpha and Beta Centauri on modern star charts.
The new star was visible for months and is thought to be the earliest
recorded supernova.
See APOD today.
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ima...mchandra_f.jpg
The Chinese noted that it sparkled like a star and did not appear to move in the sky, arguing against it being a comet. Also, the observers noticed that the star took about eight months to fade, consistent with modern observations of supernovas.
http://www.universetoday.com/2006/09...va-discovered/
See also:
http://galaxymap.org/cgi-bin/details...&name=RCW%2086
and
http://archive.eso.org/dss/dss/gif?/...ss4167a1t0.gif
RCW 86 is 1.8 degrees south of Alpha Centauri. (pa 177d)
RA2000 14h 40.5m, dec –62d 40m, size 3’ x 3’